Introduction
Palm leaves dancing in the mild breeze, powder white beaches, the sound of waves breaking on a coral reef, lush, green rain forests and chirping rare birds-this is what the Andaman and Nicobar Islands essentially are. An archipelago of islands, islets and rocks, this Union Territory of India is home to some of the oldest tribes in the country. Though facilities for trekking, diving and snorkelling are available here, the best way to enjoy a trip to these islands is simply relax by the sea.

Tourist Attractions in Andaman Nicobar

Sightseeing

The administrative capital of the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands Port Blair offers several spots worth visiting. The Cellular Jail where the freedom fighters of India were kept imprisoned has now become a memorial. The Marine Museum and the Fisheries Museum reveal the natural heritage of the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Then there is the Anthropological Museum that provides an insight into the aborigines and their tools. The Aberdeen Bazaar is another landmark of Port Blair from where you may collect some shell and wood handicraft items for souvenir and gifts.

Marine Life

The richness of the marine life at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands can only be experienced and enjoyed. Talking of corals, you can come across the Brain coral, finger coral, antler coral, Plate coral, vase coral and leather coral amongst other corals at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Fish, crab, lobsters, sea urchins, shrimps, cleaner wrasse, anemone, clownfish are some of the easy spots at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Here it is noteworthy that the Andaman and the Nicobar islands are home to over 110 species of wild orchids. Various tribal reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries dot the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. The bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo is another must visit at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands.

You may trek from Mt. Harriet to Madhuban and enjoy the rare forest life, flora and fauna. There are other trekking routes also. Tents for island camping are locally available at various places in the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Thus you may enjoy the pristine beauty of nature and the marine life.

Adventure Sports

Andaman and the Nicobar Islands are the best options for the adventure seekers and the merry makers alike. There are a variety of water sports that you may indulge in while at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. The most popular sports though are scuba diving and snorkeling. You must check out the Wandoor or the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Carbyn’s Cove Tourism Complex and the Havelock Island for snorkeling at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Similarly to enjoy the marvelous marine life and get entangled in the mysteries of the wrecked ships you may try scuba diving. The Andaman Scuba Club trains amateurs in scuba diving. In fact right from Water Skiing, Water Scooters, Boats, Parasailing, Sail Boats, Wind Surfers, Speed Boats to Glass Bottom Boats For Coral/ Ship Wreck Viewing Andaman and the Nicobar Islands have it all. Elephant Safari, Island Trekking and Lagoon Cruises are other adventure activities you may enjoy at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands.

Festivals

Port Blair the capital city of the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands celebrates an annual Island Tourism festival. The festivities of the Island Tourism Festival that include exhibitions, cultural performances and water sport competitions carry on for a fortnight in the months of December and January. In case you are at the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands in January you may even participate in the Subhash Mela and the Vivekananda Mela that celebrate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda at the Havelock Island and the Neil Island respectively.

Other Tourist Spots in Andaman Nicobar

The Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park, Wandoor at a distance of 29 kilometers from Port Blair is the place to check out the mangrove forests, breathtakingly beautiful beaches, captivating coral reefs and schools of ornamental fish and marine life besides the right spot for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. Jolly Buoy and redskin islands are other tourist spots worth visiting in Wandoor.

You may visit some of the rare species of endemic birds and animals found in the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands at the Mini Zoo of Haddo.

Amongst the many islands of the Andaman and the Nicobar group is the Ross Island with several reminiscences of the British administration including a Church, Cemetery, swimming Pool et al. Similarly you may visit the Viper Island renowned for its old jail where the British used to keep the prisoners.

You may even visit the Sippighat Farm where the research & development programs for cultivation of spices are run by the government.

The easiest accessible islands from the capital are Neil and Havelock. Small boats leave the Phoenix Bay Harbor four times a week to Havelock, usually docking at Neil on the way. One can be escorted by a school of dolphins or spot giant sea tortoise and flying fish. It is worth spending a few days on Neil. Basic accommodation is provided in the small settlement near the jetty.

Havelock, lying north of Neil is one of the islands chosen by the government to turn into a luxurious tourist destination. The coral reef here is still intact and is what makes snorkeling a great pleasure. Only the northern part of Havelock is populated. To make it easy to remember locations, they are numbered from one to seven. The boat docks at no 1. The best accommodation is at no 5 and when one plans to take a stroll on a beautiful beach he should head for no 7 then turn left at the junction at no 3.

The first sunrise of the millennium at Katchal has brought the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands in limelight further of the tourist destinations of India.

How to Reach Andaman Nicobar

By Air
Five weekly ( Daily except wednesday and friday) flights between Calcutta and Port Blair and daily flights from Chennai to Port Blair

By Sea
There are around three to four ships sailing between Haddo Jetty, Port Blair in the Andamans and Calcutta and Chennai on the mainland. There is one sailing from Vishakhapattnam every two months. The Shipping Corporation of India runs these sailings. The distances between Port Blair and some of the important cities on the mainland are Calcutta - 1255 km, Chennai - 1190 km and Vishakhapatnam - 1200 km

We provide complete tour packages as well as travel and tour services for the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. We also offer complete accommodation booking and ship/air booking services, car/taxi hire and transport facilities for a tour of Andaman and the Nicobar Islands during the Island Tourism Festival and otherwise. We will be happy to help you in any way. All you need to do is fill in the form at the end of this page and send it to us with your travel query, and we will get back to you at the earliest.

Entry Formalities for Andaman Nicobar

Foreigners
Foreigners require a permit to stay in the Islands, which can now easily be obtained on arrival at Port Blair (either by air or sea) from the immigration authorities for 30 days. In addition, permits can also be obtained from:- (i) Indian Mission Overseas, (ii) Foreigners Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta. (iii) The immigration authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.

The places covered by this permit for night halt are
South Andaman Island (except Jarwa Reserve), Middle Andaman Island (except Jarwa Reserve), Little Andaman Island (except Jarwa Reserve), Neil Island, Havelock Island, Long Island, Diglipur, Baratang, Islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Part (excluding Islands-Boat, Hobday, Twin, Tarmugli, Malay and Pluto) (Night halt with permission only) and North Passage.